So I have noticed some power issues when I turn my navigation lights on.

The boat loses power and slows down to idle speed. I then have to shut it down then restart it (with the navigation lights off). It runs fine after that.

Any idea what is causing this and how to fix it? A guy on another site suggested it could be a short and I'm looking for a 2nd opinion. (And I really don't know what to look for with regards to a short either).

I can't say the problem is soley isolated to the navigation lights; it's happened twice this season. The one time was at night in a fast moving river and the other time we were caught in a wicked rain storm so in both instances I did not have a whole lot of time to see if the problem existed with other stuff on, I just wanted to get some place safe.

I do know that when the weather is good, I have the stereo cranked and all three balasts either pumping or emptying and even the bilge running and haven't had this problem.

I'd sure like to be able to run my boat "legally" at night and also use my wake surf lights without the engine shutting down.